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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that actually, voters don't care if politicians lie, cheat, are racist or even break the law, we'll vote for them anyway?

102 replies

KenDodd · 09/09/2020 22:30

And politicians have realised this.
As proven in recent years.

This actually isn't a go at Tory voters, I think if the roles were reversed other voters might act exactly the same and also not care about any of the above as long as their side won. I remember reading about an election in the US a while ago were one of the two candidates had just been arrested for child sex abuse, he didn't lose any support despite this. Some of the electorate were interviewed and said better him that the other guy. I can't remember which party was which but I don't think it matters, I don't think it would have made much difference if it was the other way around.

We should demand better, it's our fault politicians lie, cheat, are racist and break the law, we let them.

OP posts:
PowerslidePanda · 09/09/2020 22:56

I once heard a quote that's stuck with me - "No matter which party is in power, the government is still the government".

I don't think many decent, honest types are attracted to a career in politics; and the few who are usually don't get very far.

CoRhona · 09/09/2020 22:59

I wouldn't and I don't. Can't speak for everyone else.

ssd · 09/09/2020 23:02

I think the problem is us that the tory vote is seen as an aspirational vote, something to aspire to if we try hard enough.
When in reality it's a vote for a bunch of self serving smug lying incompetent idiots.

But a lot of people in England were taken in by them last time so urs no wonder they're doing anything they like.

Splendidseptember · 09/09/2020 23:06

Oh gosh... Kenn.. I'm a swing voter, in my 40s.

I've voted Labour more than tory. My a fat margin.
Unfortunately, I've gone totally off what the left are now. Omission is the greatest lie.

Keir is tickling my attention.... A freshing change from corbyn.... One of the slimiest liars out there!!

MinnieMousse · 09/09/2020 23:12

Well, not all of us will, but there seem to be plenty who just stick to one party and will never change, regardless of how the party changes. The Tory party now is unrecognisable even from David Cameron's days but that won't change the minds of a lot of people who always just vote Tory.

I was a staunch Labour voter from 1997-2003 but refused to vote for them after the Iraq war because I disagreed with it. Am now considering voting for them in the next General election for the first time since 2001.

ItsAlwaysSunnyOnMN · 09/09/2020 23:44

This has always been the case and always will

Majority will vote with who they feel is the party or party leader that usually serves there needs best (or their lives are not impacted lives too negatively if they are lucky enough to be in that position)

Majority will overlook their flaws their personal lives their opinions etc

We have had two personality party leaders in the last few years both hugely popular because so many not only agree with their politics but are willing to overlook a lot of questionable reasons why they should never have been in the position of party leader

Politics hasn’t changed it’s always been this way just now they are scrutinised 24/7

tobee · 10/09/2020 00:12

@ssd

I think the problem is us that the tory vote is seen as an aspirational vote, something to aspire to if we try hard enough. When in reality it's a vote for a bunch of self serving smug lying incompetent idiots.

But a lot of people in England were taken in by them last time so urs no wonder they're doing anything they like.

This to a large extent

BogRollBOGOF · 10/09/2020 00:32

I live in a seat with a majority of 17 000. My vote is irrelevant anyway.
Sometimes it's a case of hold your nose and vote for who'll be least damaging.
I did that knowing that it made not a jot of difference to who my MP would be.
I seriously toyed with spoiling my vote.

SheepandCow · 10/09/2020 00:37

Lots of people do care. The problem was there was a choice between shit or crap.

I know several lifelong Labour voters who reluctantly voted Tory in the last election (I'm a floating voter so less tribal). They couldn't vote Labour whilst a racist misogynist was leading it.

NaNaNaNaNaNaBaNaNa · 10/09/2020 00:48

The People will vote for who the mainstream media tell them to vote for. Since the owners are all tax-dodgers, it'll be the Tories forevermore.

araiwa · 10/09/2020 04:25

@SheepandCow

Lots of people do care. The problem was there was a choice between shit or crap.

I know several lifelong Labour voters who reluctantly voted Tory in the last election (I'm a floating voter so less tribal). They couldn't vote Labour whilst a racist misogynist was leading it.

But they could vote for a conservative party with a racist misogynist leader??

Theyre fucking stupid

InsanityRocks · 10/09/2020 05:15

The tories treat the public as if we are stupid, and we respond accordingly. Is it our fault, though? If a parent treats a child as if they are stupid all the time, the child will believe it. I know that's a bit simplistic but we have been massively dumbed down over the last few decades

Original poster
KenDodd · 10/09/2020 08:54

@SheepandCow

I know several lifelong Labour voters who reluctantly voted Tory in the last election (I'm a floating voter so less tribal). They couldn't vote Labour whilst a racist misogynist was leading it.

And so they voted for Boris Johnson?!?!
He's called black people racist names, described Muslim women in islamophobic terms, gay people in homophobic terms. He's written articles demonising single mothers (while leaving a trail of them in him wake).

How can anyone say think Boris Johnson isn't a racist misogynist? Plus his lying is on a scale we've never seen from politicians and he has complete disregard for the law.

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Original poster
KenDodd · 10/09/2020 08:55

The problem was there was a choice between shit or crap.

No it wasn't. There aren't only two parties or candidates.

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Original poster
KenDodd · 10/09/2020 08:59

This has always been the case and always will

Perhaps. I think the difference now though is that politicians have realised this. They now know they can lie, cheat, be racist (in fact I think it's dawned on them a bit of racism actually WINS them votes) and break the law and the voters, however much we like to huff and puff about it WON'T punish them in the ballot box.

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Original poster
KenDodd · 10/09/2020 09:02

Well, not all of us will, but there seem to be plenty who just stick to one party and will never change, regardless of how the party changes

Well yes. I do wonder if the country would be much better governed if everybody was a floating voter and there was no such thing as a safe seat. I don't know why people glue themselves to a political party, there not football teams.

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Original poster
KenDodd · 10/09/2020 09:03

They're!

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PastMyBestBeforeDate · 10/09/2020 09:03

The evidence would suggest YANBU. Sadly.

LadyofTheManners · 10/09/2020 09:04

Looks at current shitshow in parliament
Says you are correct OP
People are stupid. They vote for who Murdoch tells them to vote for.
It's why I think there should be a minimum intelligence requirement to be able to vote. And S*n and Fail readers should be cancelled out for a start.

Dee1975 · 10/09/2020 09:10

There are liars and Hippocrates on both sides. So I always find it ridiculous when they call out another party for x, y and z when they have done the same at some point. I also find it hilarious when the extremists (right or left) make out they are perfect and all others need to rot in hell. That I find more dangerous. No party is perfect. If someone can’t see that then they will never be part of finding a good solution.
They all do it. So we don’t have a choice. For me, I just vote on the main fundamental policies i agree with. But, I don’t say that party is perfect. But just better than the rest.

kirinm · 10/09/2020 09:11

It wasn't always like this. This government and the last few before them just lie with impunity. Corbyn was an easy figure to discredit and as a consequence, a bit of lying, breaching constitutional law and generally being massively corrupt was a better option that Corbyn (to some not all).

I use twitter quite a lot and am astounded at a) how stupid some people are on basic facts but b) how willing they are to be unbothered by lying or breaking the law. As long as Brexit gets done.

Brexit is the most divisive issue we have faced in decades and it will keep us divided. I mean, even some Tory MPs are speaking out against the new legislation that sets out to breach international law. It is a shame those Tory MPs don't include the Lord Chancellor or Attorney General, both positions intended to ensure the government don't breach the law. And both positions held by qualified legal professionals. Speaking as a legal professional, I hope both are debarred by the Bar Council.

kirinm · 10/09/2020 09:13

@Dee1975

There are liars and Hippocrates on both sides. So I always find it ridiculous when they call out another party for x, y and z when they have done the same at some point. I also find it hilarious when the extremists (right or left) make out they are perfect and all others need to rot in hell. That I find more dangerous. No party is perfect. If someone can’t see that then they will never be part of finding a good solution. They all do it. So we don’t have a choice. For me, I just vote on the main fundamental policies i agree with. But, I don’t say that party is perfect. But just better than the rest.
I would love some examples of where the last Labour and even the Tory party before 1997 behaved in the way this current crop are behaving.
kirinm · 10/09/2020 09:15

If there are still people willing to vote Tory or worse vote for Johnson when the entire cabinet have been shown to be incompetent and worse - actually acting in breach of the law - then the country is full of morons.

I do vote labour but not at any cost. I didn't like Corbyn but I do live in a safe Labour seat so my Labour MP wasn't going anywhere.

VinylDetective · 10/09/2020 09:18

@BogRollBOGOF

I live in a seat with a majority of 17 000. My vote is irrelevant anyway. Sometimes it's a case of hold your nose and vote for who'll be least damaging. I did that knowing that it made not a jot of difference to who my MP would be. I seriously toyed with spoiling my vote.
Same here. I actually did spoil my vote in December. I’m not so sure I would have done that if I lived in a marginal.
Original poster
KenDodd · 10/09/2020 09:21

I'd love to know what the 21% who think the public WON'T vote for liars, cheats, racists or law breakers are using as evidence of that.

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